The healing powers of humor

"The most wasted of all days is one without laughter." - E.E. CUMMINGS LOVE A GOOD LAUGH? THE HEALING POWERS OF HUMOR HERE'S SOME NEWS TO KEEP YOU SMILING! THE INVOLUNTARY REACTION KNOWN AS "LAUGHTER" IS OOD FOR BOTH THE BODY & SOUL: GELOTOLOGY GELOTOLOGY is the Study of laughter and its effects on the body, from a PSYCHOLOGICAL and PHYSIOLOGICAL perspective. This discipline advocates laughter for therapeutic use in Integrative medicine. There have been several types of therapy that have emerged in RECENT YEARS, in which LAUGHTER Is employed to assist patlents: HUMOR AND LAUGHTER THERAPY Used to ENCOURAGE spontaneous discussion of the patients' own HUMOROUS experiences Relies on humorous materials such as: BOOKS, SHOWS. MOVIES, STORIES. Can be provided individually or in a GROUP SETTING and Is facilitated by a CLINICIAN LAUGHTER MEDITATION Possesses SIMILAR traits to traditional meditation, but in this case it's the LAUGHTER that trains the individual to CONCENTRATE On the moment THREE-STAGE PROCESS: STRETCHING INTENTIONAL LAUGHING PERIOD OF MEDITATIVE SILENCE can be conducted in INDIVIDUAL and GROUP settings LAUGHTER YOGA Somewhat similar exercise to TRADITIONAL yoga that incorporates: LAUGHTER with BREATHING YOGA TECHNIQUES STRETCHING The structured discipline also includes: Several LAUGHTER EXERCISES for a period of 30 to 45 MINUTES that are facilitated by a TRAINED PROFESSIONAL Laughter yoga exercises can also be used for:: SUPPLEMENTAL or PREVENTIVE THERAPY "Always laugh when you can, it is cheap medicine." - GEORGE GORDON BYRON LAUGHTER'S EFFECTS ON THE BODY: Over the last few decades, researchers have studied loughter's effects on the human body. LAUGHTER IS CONSIDERED TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING THERAPEUTIC BENEFITS: BOOSTS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM TRIGGERS RELEASE OF ENDORPHINS I Decreases stress hormones I Endorphins are the body's natural "feel good" chemicals I Promotes positive outlook and temporary pain relief I Increases energy I Increases immune cells and antibodies PROTECTS THE HEART RELAXES THE WHOLE BODY I Improves the function of blood vessels I Relieves physical tenslon and stress IIncreases blood flow, which can help protect against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems I Provides 45-min. of muscle relaxation and tranquility I Diminishes pain SOCIAL BENEFITS Shared laughter binds people together, and increases happiness and intimacy. Strengthens relationships Attracts others to us Enhances teamwork Helps defuse conflict Promotes group bonding IN CERTAIN SOCIAL SITUATIONS,HUMOR IS ALSO CONSIDERED AN APHRODISIAC! SAY THAT HUMOROUS FLIRTATION CAN GET THEM IN THE MOOD FOR SEX! 87% 74% SO THERE YOU HAVE IT, FOLKS FROM ENDORPHINS TO APHRODISIACS AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN,LAUGHTER IS TRULY THE ONE MEDICINE THAT IS NATURALLY HARNESSED FROM HAPPINESS! SPREAD THIS SMILES. SHARE THIS INFOGRAPHIC. - CHUCKLER BROUGHT TO YOU BY CHUCKLER.COM sources: http://www.helpguide.org/life/humorlaughter_health.htm http://www.yourtango.com/experts/laurie-davis/why-humor-sexy-zoosk-study https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laughter https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gelotology http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/give-your-body-boost-with-laughter Image sources: Chairs Circles/freedigitalphotos.net